Switzerland has assured the United Nations of its assistance with the Cyprus process on request, Pierre-Alain Eltschinger, spokesperson of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs had told CNA.

Responding to a question by CNA in view of the fact that Switzerland will host on November 7-11 the ongoing Cyprus talks, Eltschinger, also noted that the extent of this support will depend on the needs of the negotiators.

“We can confirm that Switzerland has assured the UN of its assistance with the Cyprus process on request. The extent of this support will depend on the needs of the negotiators,” he noted.

The UN announced on Wednesday evening, following a meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, that the UN-led Cyprus peace talks will continue in Mont Pelerin, in Switzerland, from 7 – 11 November. The intensive talks are expected to focus on the issue of territory and all other outstanding issues interdependently.

Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.